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A colonoscopy is an examination that enables your doctor to examine the lining of your colon (large intestine). The doctor will take a flexible tube about the size of a finger and slowly move it into the rectum and through the colon to look for signs of cancer or pre-cancerous lesions.
An EGD, commonly referred to as an esophagogastroduodenoscopy, is an examination that enables your physician to examine the upper digestive tract including your esophagus, stomach and duodenum by using an endoscope that is a flexible tube with a light and camera to search for irritations, ulcers or other abnormal growths.
A flexible sigmoidoscopy, commonly called a “flex sig,” is an examination that allows your physician to examine the lining of the rectum and a portion of the colon. This examination is performed by inserting a small tube into the rectum and advancing it to the lower part of the colon to look for abnormalities.
You will need to plan to be off of work the day of the procedure. It is recommended that you not drive for 24 hours following the procedure to ensure anesthesia has cleared your system.
Our policy requires your driver to remain in our lobby during the procedure.
It is a good idea to plan to be here approximately two hours once you check-in for the procedure.
Following the procedure, the physician will review the findings with you. Since you will be waking up from sedation and will not likely recall the conversation, we recommend that your driver and/or responsible party be present for the discussion. You will also leave our facility with a visit summary report that provides findings and instructions. Any biopsies that are taken during the procedure go to our Pathology department for analysis. Patients typically receive a call with those findings within a week.
Depending on the procedure, it typically takes between 15 to 30 minutes. However, you will want to plan on spending two hours at our facility to ensure enough time for our check-in process, pre-procedure preparation, the procedure and recovery.
Based on the findings of the exam, the physician may take biopsies for further analysis and remove any polyps that are found. The polyps and biopsies will be sent to a pathologist for testing.
Our patient account representatives can be reached at 601-268-5680 to review procedure costs. If you have insurance coverage, our office will review your benefits and eligibility and determine any out-of-pocket expenses based on your coverage. If you do not have insurance coverage or your coverage lacks surgical benefits, we can provide self-pay pricing for you as well.
For patients taking aspirin, anti-coagulants or blood thinners, you will receive instructions on when to stop taking those prior to the procedure. Any medication that has been approved for you to continue as normal needs to be taken at least 3 hours prior to the procedure.
The IV allows us to provide medications needed to keep you comfortable and relaxed during the procedure.
Your driver must be 18 years old.
You can be brought to the facility by public transportation or Medicaid transportation. However, you MUST arrive with a responsible adult who will check in to the facility, remain in the building during your procedure and remain with you for 24 hours following the exam.
Once you check in to our facility, you will be brought to our Endoscopy suite by a nurse who will review your medical history, check your blood pressure and start an IV. You will be connected to equipment that allows the physician and staff to monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, electrocardiogram and oxygen level during the procedure. The physician and an anesthesia provider will speak with your prior to procedure. Once you are ready for the procedure, an anesthesia provider will administer sedation to make you comfortable, and the procedure will begin. The procedure takes approximately 15-30 minutes, depending on the findings of the exam. Following the exam, you will be taken to a recovery room and monitored until the gastroenterologist and anesthesia provider clears you for release. Once you are awake, your physician will discuss the results of your procedure with you and your family member or friend. Recovery takes approximately 20-30 minutes.
The office will provide a time that you will need to stop consuming ANY liquids (including ice chips that melt in your mouth) the day of the procedure. This will be indicated on the prep instructions we provide to you. Please note that this time is very important. Nothing, including ice chips, can be consumed by mouth after this time. If anything is consumed after the cut-off time, your procedure will be delayed or possibly canceled.
The only exceptions to true clear liquids are coffee and cranberry juice, which are naturally colored. Energy drinks and protein shakes are not considered clear liquids. Please refer to the instructions provided to you by our office.
Your physician will visit with you prior to the procedure to review any questions that you may have before you receive sedation.
We recommend that you do not drink alcoholic beverages since they cause dehydration.
If you are nauseated or vomiting the prep, we recommend you wait about 30 minutes and then resume drinking the prep at a slower rate. If you are drinking Suprep or Golytely, try drinking four ounces (4 oz.) every 15 to 20 minutes. It is important to complete the entire prep to ensure the gastroenterologist has the best possible view of your colon to perform a complete examination.
Colonoscopies are performed under the supervision of your gastroenterologist and an anesthesia professional who provides sedation intravenously. The sedation causes you to be very drowsy but comfortable and still breathing on your own.
You should have your first bowel movement approximately one hour after beginning the bowel prep.
Discard all prep instructions provided by the pharmacy and/or the directions on the box of the prep. You will need to only follow the prep instructions provided by our office. These instructions will ensure an optimal prep and more thorough evaluation of the colon.
Ensure that your prep is cold, drinking it through a straw and sucking on a red or green peppermint while you are drinking.
This is dependent upon your work schedule and occupation. If your work hours end around 5 p.m., you can reasonably work the day prior to the procedure as you will need to begin the bowel prep at 6 p.m. that evening.
The morning of the colonoscopy, you will be starting the second portion of the bowel prep. Working that morning is not recommended due to the need to have continuous access to a bathroom.